Motor vehicle crashes can result in severe and life-threatening injuries. Whether you are the driver or passenger of a motor vehicle involved in an accident, or if you were a pedestrian involved in a collision with a motor vehicle, it’s important to learn more about seeking compensation for injuries from a crash.
The dedicated Georgia personal injury lawyers at our firm are committed to helping clients with insurance claims and lawsuits after negligent parties cause injuries.
At Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C., we regularly help clients with car accident claims dealing with many different types of injuries. The following are some of the most common car accident injuries.
Whiplash in Car Accidents
There are many different types of injuries from car accidents, and one of the most common is whiplash. According to the Mayo Clinic, whiplash is a type of neck injury that results from “forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.” Whiplash is an injury that occurs most frequently in rear-end car crashes. Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness
- Headaches
Sometimes whiplash signs and symptoms do not show up immediately, so it’s important to be seen by a healthcare provider after a crash, even if you don’t have symptoms.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines as traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a “disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury.” Car accidents are one of the leading causes of TBIs and other forms of head trauma. Common signs and symptoms of TBIs include, but are not limited to:
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty thinking clearly
- Memory problems
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Change in sleeping patterns (sleeping too much or sleeping too little)
Fractures or Broken Bones
Fractures, which are also known as broken bones, are another common injury in motor vehicle crashes. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), bones can be partially or completely fractured. There are many different kinds of fractures within the categories of partial and complete breaks. The AAOS cites trauma from motor vehicle accidents as one of the most common causes of fractures. While most fractures are especially painful, it may not be immediately apparent to you that you have broken a bone and need medical attention. Signs and symptoms of fractures include, but are not limited to:
- Swelling
- Tenderness in the area of the injury
- Bruising
- Deformity (where a limb looks “out of place”)
Fractures require medical treatment. The treatment for a broken bone will vary depending upon the type of fracture and its severity.
Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage
Internal bleeding is an extremely serious injury that can result from trauma in a car accident, according to WebMD. While most cases of internal bleeding result from “obvious injuries that require rapid medical attention,” some people will not show signs of internal bleeding for hours or even days after the accident. As such, it is always important to speak with a healthcare provider as soon as possible after a crash.
Psychological Harm and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Not all car accident injuries are physical. Many people injured in traffic crashes experience psychological injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The American Psychiatric Association notes that PTSD can occur in a person who has experienced a traumatic event, including a car crash.
Regardless of the type of injury you experience, and no matter how minor you think it might be, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. A healthcare provider can better assess the severity of your injuries and can help to ensure you have complete medical records to be used as evidence in a car accident lawsuit.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Georgia
Car accident injuries can be debilitating and result in substantial costs. When another person is at fault for the accident, it’s important to learn more about your options for filing a claim for compensation. An aggressive Georgia car accident lawyer at our firm can discuss your options with you today. Contact Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C. to get started on your claim.
We have offices in Atlanta, Athens, and Lake Oconee and take cases across the state of Georgia. We offer free consultations and there is no fee unless we win your case.